Improvement of platelet supply by the project research quality control circle and win-win team model in a hematological department

Abstract

Objective: Platelet is a crucial medical resource to ensure the quality and patient safety in healthcare. A project research Quality Control Circle (prQCC) was applied to this platelet shortage challenge in a level 3 Grade A hospital of South China. Materials and Methods: (1) A prQCC team was established based on the win-win team model. (2) By system diagram analyzing, the prQCC focused on improving the donation of the society. (3) The differences between regular donors and ordinary volunteers were analyzed using questionnaires, and four strategies were integrated and implemented according to the analysis of the requirements from donors and volunteers. (4) The platelet supply as well as tangible and intangible achievements were collected and evaluated. Results: More donors were recruited, including 313 ordinary volunteers and 76 regular donors, 226 units of platelets were donated directly. The platelet supply in the department of hematology has increased to 121.95% (from 4792 to 5844 units) versus 105.56% (from 9488.5 to 10016 units) in the hospital. Each participant of this prQCC benefited from tangible and intangible achievements, with a closed win-win loop formed. Conclusions: The prQCC is an efficient tool to improve platelet supply; and the win-win team model is also potentially useful in other areas of quality in healthcare, and thereafter worth spreading.